Take-up apparatus



March 27, 1951 D. c. RoBscN TAKEUP APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 23, 1948 /M/ENTOR D. C. ROBSON A T TORNE Y March 27, 1951 D, Q ROBSON 2,546,637

TAKEU APPARATUS Filed July 23, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 A 7' TOR/VE V March 27, 1951 D. C. ROBSON TAKEUP APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet I5 Filed July 23, 1948 /NVE/V TOR '59, QC. OBSONy By a ATTORNEY March 27, 1951 D. C. ROBSON TAKEUP APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 25, 1948 /Nf/ENTOR D. C. ROBSON A T'To/yev f NS Patented Mar. 27, 1951 TAKE-UP APPARATUS Duer C. Robson, Baltimore, Md., assigner to West- Y ern Electric Company, Incorporated, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application July 23, 1948, Serial No. 40,290

24 Claims.

This invention relates to takeup apparatus, and more particularly to apparatus for continuously reeling strands, such as insulated conductors.

In strand processing operations, such as in the extrusion of an insulated covering over a conductor and the vulcanization of the covering immediately after the extrusion operation, a strand usually is wound upon some type of holder, such as a reel, to facilitate storage or further handling` of the strand. In the past, when the reel was filled with the strand and a new reel or the like had to be substituted therefor, or a switch was effected from one reel to another, it usually was necessary to shut down the processing apparatus during such a substitution or switching. Such interruptions of the process increased the cost of production of the strands, and, in the case cf extrusion and vulcanization of insulated coverings upon conductors, the portions of the coverings remaining in the vulcanizing apparatus dur` ing the interruptions were overcured and had to be scrapped. Some continuously operable takeup apparatus have been proposed in the past, but this apparatus has not been entirely satisfactory. An object of the invention is to provide new and improved takeup apparatus.

A further object of the invention is to provide new and improved apparatus for continuously reeling strands, such as insulated conductors.

Another object of the invention is to provide new and improved strand takeup apparatus for Y switching a strand from one takeup reel to another without interrupting the winding process.

A takeup apparatus illustrating certain features of the invention may include a pair of reels, means for rotating the reels, a snagger provided with a strand catching and gripping portion revolved with one of the reels, and means selectively operable for guiding a strand past one of the reels to the other reel into the path of the snagger so that the strand is caught by the snagger.

A complete understanding of the invention may be obtained from the following detailed description of an apparatus forming a specific embodiment thereof, when read in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary front elevation of an apparatus forming one embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary plan view showing a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, front elevation of the portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2 with portions thereof broken away;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken along line 4-4 0f Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged, elevation of a cutter forming a part of the apparatus;

Fig. '7 is an enlarged end elevation of the cuttershown in Fig. 6, and

Fig. 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary view of a snagger forming a part of the apparatus.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, a flamentary, conductive core I0, such as a copper or bronze wire, is advanced from one of two supply reels i2--I2 by a dual capstan I4, and is pulled through an extruder I6, through a continucus vulcanizing tube I8 in tandem with the eXtruder i6, along a cooling trough 28, and over a guide sheave 22 by the dual capstan I4. The extruder I6 forms a vulcanizable covering 24 on the conductive core I0 and the covered core is introduced continuously into the vulcanizing tube I8. Steam under high pressure is fed into the vulcanizing tube I8 to vulcanize the covering 24 as it is advanced therethrough to produce an insulated conductor 26.

The conductor 26 is advanced from the capstan i i4 to a continuous takeup unit 28, and is advanced over a guide sheave 32 of a distributor 34 either to artakeup mechanism 36 or to a takeup mechanism 38, which is similar .to the mechanism 36`but rotates in an opposite direction. `The f sheave 32 is mo-unted rotatably on an arm 40 (Fig. 3) carried by a distributor head 42 (Fig. 2) supported slidably on a shaft 44 and a rod 46.

The shaft 44 and the rod 46 are supported by slides 48-48 mounted slidably on guide rods 50-7-50 having racks 52-1-52 (Fig. 3) formed` thereon. A reversible electric motor (Fig. 2) carried with the slides 48-48Vrotates a distributor screw 62 in either of two directions.

When the motor is actuated to rotate the distributor screw in one direction, the distributor screw moves the distributor head 42 toward a flange 63 of a reel 64 so that the sheave 32 is moved toward the flange 63 to distribute the conductor 26 upon the reel 64 mounted in the take up mechanism 36, which is rotate-d in al counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 3, by means of a motor 65. When the distributor sheave 32 reaches its furthermost position, an actuating pin 66 carried by the distributor head 42 strikes an arm 68 of a limit switch 'l0 to reverseV the direction of rotation of the motor 60 and the distributor screw 62, whereby the distributor` screw moves the head 42 and the sheave 32 toward a flange 69 (Fig.y 2) of the reel 64 to form another layer of the conductor on the takeup reel When the sheave 32 reaches its furthermost position near the flange 69, an actuating rod 1I Vstrikes an arm 'l2 of a limit switch 'I4 to again reverse the direction of rotation of the motor 60 and the distributor screw 62. The actuator rods 66 and 'II are mounted slidablyin bosses 'I6 and 90 and 92, respectively, which are rigidly secured i to the actuating rods 66 and I Thus, the lengthg of throw of the distributor may be adjusted as desired. L

A hand wheel 94 is keyed to theshaft 44,"` which carries two pinions, of which a pinion'SB" to the right or to the left, as viewed in` Fig. 3,

thereby changing the position of the distributor sheave 32 with respect to the takeup mechanisms 36 and. 38. A pivoted latch |04 may be actuated to lock the "distributor 34"fin any 'desired"pos`i tin `n` theguide rods n-lsp- Normauy, while thfonduotor' 26 `is being wound nthe tkeup meehanism 36, the distributor 34 is in the broken` line position thereof shownl in Fig. 3, and the conductor 26 followsa path shownfin broken lines to` the reel 64. When thereel 64`isf`alm'ost'fil1ed iheflatch` |04 Yis released and the hand wheel 94 isaetuated to move th'edistributor 34 to the fullline position thereof. This causes the pathnof the conductor 26 asfit leaves the distributor sheave32 and advances to the reel 64 to change from that shown bythe broken-line to that shown rulljlines.; The portionof this' path of the conductor26 between points'A and B forms a chord with respect to anges 4'|09-4- l09 of a reel `'Il l) mountedin the taleup mehanism', which reel, whendriven' is' rotated ina clockwise direCtQrt as Viewe'din Eig-.35j v `A n electric motor 6 (Eig. 4 forming a part start the rotationiof the Y reel-H 0.1 -Acentering @one g la keyedto thereeillq by fpm Maand' With sever the conductor 26. 3

thereon, and asnagger |28 having a snaggingv notch -|30 formed therein is carried by the arm` |26 andisdesigned tom'slide through a slot |3| A formed in the guard |24. Thefarrri2|26 carries a follower |32 designedtoride in fa" :amfslo| ;'|34'V orrnedin a Vfixed bearing |36 as the arm |26fis rotated with the guard |24.` iAs the cam follower. |32Hmoves along the c am slot`| 34, the'arrn |26 is urged to position the s nagger |28 f urtherto the` left..V as viewed in .Fig 4, i.to ia position extendingfoverV the inner flange |09. of the reel 0 Shortly after .thenaeger ,passs the point. .A V(Fig. 3). However, as' the snagger passes point.

Ail the, @am s10tl34 acts.tahold-thesnagger in'v such` a Vposition"thatit'is Vnot"ov/r the reel Maand the snasger.c1ears theoriductorl the conductor zsatthejpairitaf; y f

Awhen the' 'distribute-rsheave--ravacethe 4 conductor 26, which subtends a portion of the ilanges |09|09 of the reel H0. to a position in which the conductor is near the right hand flange of the ree1,-as viewed in Fig. 4, and the clutch has been actuated to connect the guard |24 to the reel ||0, the snagger clears the portion ofv the conductor at point A (Fig. 3), is moved over the conductor between the points .A v and B, catches the portion of the conductor at point fB in the notch (Fig. 8) forrned in the leading edge of the snagger and pullsjthe conductor downwardly, as viewed in Fig. 3. Th e takeup reel 64 continues to be rotate'da'ndto wind the conductor 26 thereon, and the portion of the conductor between the snaggerand the reel 64'is moved downwardly.

v'I'he inrunning reel 64 and the snagger |28 move vthe portion of the conductor therebetween downwardlybetween blades |40--I40 of a shear' |42, and press the conductor Ahard againstl presser bar-"|44 to press'the bardownwardlyyasf Viewedv in Fig '3, against springs |46-'I46 '(Fg; 7) the bar' |44 moved downwardly', it moves' downwardly a Vpin |48 on which the blades followersj-ISS (Figl')A fastened to the'pressf' er"bar |`44 are pressed by`a pair of cams, of which" a c am |36 is' shownfso" t'o move the? bar'"'|`44" against thefaction of the's'prifngs |4'6-`|46 to clos e the blades lao-|40; Thus; after the bar-'jm is* depressed su'flici'entlyby the conductor 26 and tire, biases `41m-|40" dig inte 'the' cveringz' of" the covered "conductor 26'," the blades |40-| 40 or to the left, andthe cutting actionH- of vthe The Vsnagger |28 continues to conductor`26 on the 'reel as ,the snaggerf' rotatedbeyorid the poirtB (Fie- 3 t0 somewh@ ...i nearthe point C .j When the snagger reaches tliepoint @the camgsiot Isa; (Fig. 4) moves. snagger back to apositionjinwhih itdoesn extend over the liangeljofl thereeli,V andithe snaggercontinuesto hold the Aconductor softhat* I' tlflf;...conlductorf is wound ontl'ie vreel||0 .j :Ifljis oscillation ofthe snaggelj',bllivandgforth ove thend ofthe. reel .Il gqcurs. at. everyLrevQlur,

tion 0f the reel" U0. 'liattbe snaggerissurq to .clear .the portiongof.,theconductor 2 6 n. tenis advanced tothe reel H6.' Thus, after the wind"- hereinabovallere. sno danseriot resnaggi the c onductorl. The takeupmechanisin36.15 provided with a snaggerand' its associated, elel in thesame manner gasgdoes'the' takeup 'mecli' anism' 38 except that the mechanisms. is, a. legtghand-rnehanism..,while .the mefihilism' is` righthan'd.'inechaisn. "Alter tliereel |.`|0

`has been nues, the distributor s4 zid've 5. its broken-line position and the above-described operation in connection with starting and winding of the conductor 26 on the reel ||0 is conducted with the take-up mechanism 36 to shear the Yconductor and start the conductor on a reel substituted for the reel 64.

The motor ||6 (Fig. 4) is mounted on a slide |10 mounted on a guideway |12, and a bearing |14 supporting the centering cone I |8 also is carried by the slide |10'. After the reel ||0 has Vbeen filled and the conductor 26 is severed there from, the motor ||6 isA deenergized and a linkage |16 is moved so as to actuate a valve |16 to supply air under pressure to the lright hand end of a cylinder |80, as viewed in Fig. 4, and to pivot a latch |82 secured rigidly to a shaft |84 out of aslot |88 formed in the slide |10 so that the slide may be slid to the left by a piston |30 fastened to the slide to free the reel for removal. After an empty reel to be substituted for the reel ||0 has been positioned between the centering cones |28 and |22, the linkage |16 is moved to actuate the valve |18 to supply air under pressuregto the left end of the cylinder |80 and to permit the latch |82 to move into the slot |88 Whenever the slot |83 is moved thereover. The piston then moves the slide |13 to mount the empty reel on the centering cones |28 and |22, and the latch moves into the slot |88 to latch the slide in an operative position.

Operation The insulated conductor 26 is advanced over the sheave 32 of the distributor mechanism 34, which is in its broken-line position, as viewed in Eig. 3, to the reel 64 of the takeup mechanism 36, the motors 60 and 65 are started, and the distributor 34 distributes the conductor 26 in layers extending from flange to flange of the reel 64. When the reel 64 is almost iilled, an operator of the apparatus releases the latch |04, and moves the distributor mechanism 34 to the vleft to its.fullline position. The operator then starts the motor IIS (Fig. 2) to rotate the reel ||0 in an inrunning direction with respect to the` direction of rotation of the reel 64, and the distributory 34 continues to distribute the conductor evenly upon the reel 64.

When the reel 64 is filled, the operator actuates the clutch |23 (Fig. 4) to connect the guard |24 to the centering cone |2|, which is driven by the reel l0. The arm |26 and the snagger |28 then are rotated with the reel ||0 at the same speed of rotation as the reel ||0, and the cam slot |34 moves the snagger |28 from a position at the edge of the right hand iiange of the reel H0, as viewed in Fig. 4, to the position of the snagger |20 shown in Fig. 5 Where the snagger has passed point A (Fig. 3) but has not yet come to point B. After the snagger is rotated past point C, the cam slot |34 moves it back to a position in which it does not extend beyond the inner flange of the reel ||0. When the distributor sheave 32 moves the conductor 26 to the right hand ange of the reel H0, as viewed in Fig. 4, the snagger |28 catches the conductor 26 and moves the portion of the conductor between the snagger and the reel 64 between the blades |40|40 of the shear |42 and hard against the presser bar |44, which actuates the shear |42 to sever the conductor. v

The snagger i28 continues to hold the newly formed end of the conductor 26 and carries it around the drum of the reel H0, and the distributor 34 distributes the conductor on that reel. After the several layers of the conductorhavebeen lmade. yapparatus since the snaggers are covered and built up on the reel ||0 so that the conductor is firmly attached to the reel ||0, the clutch |25 (Fig. 4) is disengaged to disconnect the guard |24 from the centering cone |2| so that the rotation of the guard |32 and the snagger |28 is stopped. The end of the conductor held by the snagger |28 then is drawn from the notch |30 therein to `free the conductor from the .snagger.

The operator then stops the takeup mechanism 36, removes the lled reel 64 therefrom, and substitutes an identical empty reel for the reel 64. When the reel l0 is filled with the conductor 26, the distributor 34 is moved to its broken-line position, as shown in Fig. 3, so that a porf tion of the conductor 26 between the sheave 32 and the takeup reel H0 is in a plane chcrdally intersecting the flanges of the reel of the takeup mechanism 36 so that it may be snagged. The

vswitehover to the empty reel of the takeup mechanism 36 then is effected by a snagger and its associated elements forming part of the takeup mechanism' 36, which are identical with the snagger t28 and its associated elements of the takeup mechanism 38.

The above-described takeup mechanism serves to continuously take up the conductor 26 without interruption in or slowing of operation so that the operation of the extruder i6 and the vulcanization is not even slowed down. The transfer from one takeup mechanism to the other is almost completely automatic inasmuchV as the only manual effort necessary to. make a transfer from one takeup reel mechanism to the other is to move the distributor mechanism 34.A

to the proper position, to start the idle takeup reel mechanism, to eiect engagement of the clutch of the idle takeup mechanism and to disengage the clutch after the transfer has been There is no danger to an operator of the accidental contact therewith is prevented.

What is claimed is: l. A takeup apparatus, which comprises a pair of reels, means for rotating the reels, a snagger provided with a strand-catching-and-grippingv portion revolved with one of the reels, and means selectively operable for guiding a strand past one of the reels to the other reel into the path of the snagger.

2. A takeup apparatus, which comprises a rotatable takeup unit, a second rotatable takeup unit, means for rotating the units on parallel axes and for mounting the units in transversely aligned positions, means for guiding a strand past the first-mentioned takeup unit to the second-mentioned takeup unit, and a snagger carried with the rst-mentioned takeup unit and movable from a position with respect to that unit in which the strand is not engaged thereby to a position in which the strand is snagged thereby.

3. A takeup apparatus, which comprises a pair of reels mounted in transverse alignment, a gudeway extending transversely to longitudinal axes of reels, a guide mounted on the guideway for guiding a strand past one of the reels to the other reel when on one portion of' the guideway and for guiding a strand past the lastmentioned reel to the other reel when on a second portion of the guideway, means carried by each of the reels for snagging a strand guided therepast, and selectively operable means for actuating the strand-snagging means.

4. A takeup apparatus, which comprises a pair amaca? I gidevvayextnding TAtransverse to'longitudinal axes'fof. reels, a" distributor traversable' substan" tially "parallel to' the longitudinal Yaxes'of the' the'reelsfor snagging'a 'strand guided past that" reel; a: second snagger carried by the'other reel for snag'ging- 'ast'rand carried` past that. reel, 'actuating the snaggers individuand means for ally.j.' il

5; Avtakeup apparatus, which comprises a pair ofjirotatable' taleup .elements mountedY in transvemrsejalignment; a guideway 'extending trans-.'i

versely .to axes of rotation of thetalieup element,

afguide mounted movably Aon .the guideway for guiding-aYV strand `past one .ofi the reels to the other vreel when on 'one portion of the gui'devvay andrfor guiding a strand past the last-mentioned' reeltothe other reel when on a second portion of the guideway, means for moving the guide from one yoi said portions of the guideway to the other Aportion thereof, means for holding the guide at the first-mentioned portion of' the guide-v Way; means for holding the guide at the seoondmentioned portionsof the guideway, means carried by -each of 'the'reels for snagging a strand guided therepast, individually operable'means for actuating theVstrand-snagging means.

`6. A: takeup apparatus, which comprises a rotatablereeling element; aseeond rotatable reeling-element, means mounting thereeling ele'- mentsv in transversely aligned -positions for rotating the reeling elements selectively and simulN taneously in inrunning directions, a'rotatable arm mounted pivotally'at one end of the rst-nentioned reeling elemcnt,"av snagger 'carried by the arm and extending 'substantially parallel to axis' of rotation of the first-mentioned reeling element andV radially outside that reeling element so lthat the snagger isv projected over that reelingrelement when the arm is pivoted toward that Yreeling element, means operable selectively for connecting the snagger to the first-mentioned reeling element to revolve the snagger in a predetermined generally circular path beyond the radial limits of the inst-mentioned reeling element,va distributor movable transversely tothe axis of rotation of the reeling element for-distributing a strand upon the second-mentioned reeling element and for lguiding the strand, to the second-mentioned reeling element in a vplane, chordally cutting saidpath of the snagger, and cam means for holding the snagger in a position beyond the near end of the mst-mentioned reeling element asvthesnagger is moved pastthe portion of the strand entering theV portion of the plane chordally intersecting the path of the snagger so that the snagger clears that portion of the vstrand for moving the snagger to al position extending over the near end of the first-mem tioned reeling, element after the snagger has been moved past the portion of the strand entering said portion of saidplane 'and Tceiorefthev snagger has been moved to the portion ci the strand leaving saidlportion of said plane and for holding the snagger in the positionr extending over the near end of the first-mentioned reeling element as the. snagger is movedto fand past thej point at Whichlthestrandleaves said portionrof theiplaneasorthat thesnaggermcatchesand grips lOf aiirst-mentioned reeling element after 'thisn'a the strand as the stiandwis moved; past-the; nal; 1

end of the iirstmentined reelingeleznent-l 7. A. takeup' apparatus, `Which comprises' acrotatable reeling element, a: second rotatable trefle.V ing" element, `fme'ans mounting the reeling ele-A4 ments in transversely aligned positions for ro1.,V tatirig thereel'ing elements in'inrunning directions/a snagger rotatable with the first-men.' tionedreelin'g element and having a snaggin'g. portion extending' substantially parallel to axisfof rotation "o'i"Y the first-mentioned reeling element and radially outside that reeling elen ient,vineansY mounting the 'snagger 'for movementrelative tgtthe first-mentined 'reeling' element such thatltne snagging p'ortion'A is p'r'je'cted f over V'that reelingv element whenthe snagger is moved towardlthat. reeling element; the snagging portionf fthe` snagger being revolved in a predeterrriinedfsubt-` stantially circular path" beyondthe radial limits'` vol the iirst-mentioned'reeling element,V a .distributorV for distributingla strand'up'o'n the second-azi mentioned reeling element and. for guiding.'` the; strand to the secondLmentio'ned' reeling -element in'a plane chordally'cutting the'path of the snag' ger, rneansforv holding'the snagger in apos'ition in Which the snagging portion thereof is'b'eyond the near end 'of the rst-mentioned reelingelei ment as" theM snag'ging portion'is moved past the" r portiohof the strand entering the {portionbffthe plane chordally intersecting the path of the snag-"f ging portion so thatthe snagging portion clears that portion of the strand, and means for mov ing thesnagger to a position in-vvhich the sna '-4 ging portion extends over Ythe'nearjendfo'f it gingportion has been-moved past' the portion' of thestrand' entering said portion of saidpkixe and before'the snagging portion has been moved to the portion of the stra-nd leavingl said potiif ofn said planeA and for 'holdingthe snagging 'poj tion'in the position extendingy over the near'en'd of the rst'fmentioned *reeling elementA asftlif snagging portion is moved to` and past the point at which the'strand leaves said portion of `the` plane so that the rsnagging portion cat'clfiesqandw grips the strand Yas the strandismovedlpastthel near-end of therst-mentioned reeling '"elemeritf; 8. A takeup apparatus, which comprises a-p'afirY of transversely aligned reels, means for rotating the reels,j-means forjguiding a strand passons; of the reels'tothez other reel, asnagger provid with astrandocatching and lgripping portion *r volved with `the reel` past Which-'a strand guideda cutter positioned between the snagg and the other reel, and means for projecting t strand catching andV gripping portion [of the; snagger beyond the iiang'e .ofi'the reel past vvlri'clV the strand is guided to catch and grip kthe stran whereby the portionoi the strand'betweent e, snagger andthe reel to which the strand isguid'ed'" is moved into engagement with the cutter and.' severed. 1,.

9. A takeup apparatus, Which comprises a; pair of transversely aligned reels, means for, rotating., the reels in inrunning directions, means'for gui ing` a strand past one of the Vreels to they otller` reel, a snagg'er provided with a strand catching and gripping portion revolved with the reel paste which a strand is guided, a shear position'db `tween the snagger and the other reel,and mea for projecting the strand catching and gripping portion of the snagger beyond theange of ltha reel past which the strand is guidedto catch nd:` gripthe strand, whereby the portion of the strand; between the snagger and. the; reelto` whichtli'fii strand is guided is moved into engagement with the shear and severed.

10. A takeup apparatus, which comprises a pair of reels mounted in transverse alignment, a guideway extending transversely to longitudinal axes of reels, a distributor mounted movably on the guideway for guiding a strand past one of the reels to the other reel when on one portion of the guideway and for guiding a strand past the last-mentioned reel to the other reel when on a second portion of the guideway, snaggers carried by each of the reels for snagging the strand guided therepast, means for actuating the snaggers selectively, and means against which the strand is moved by either of the snaggers for severing the strand.

l1. A takeup apparatus, which comprises a Winding element, means for rotating the Winding element, a snagger carried by one end of the Winding element and movable from a position in which the snagger does not project over the Winding element to a position in which the snagger does project over the winding element, and means for moving the snagger to the position thereof in which it projects over the winding element for a predetermined portion of the revolution of the snagger so that the snagger clears one portion of a strand guided chordally with respect to the path of the snagger and catches a second portion of the strand.

12. A takeup apparatus, which comprises a rotatable winding element, means for rotating the Winding element, an L-shaped snagger carried pivotally by one end of the Winding element and havinga strand-snagging portion movable from a position in which that portion does not project the winding element to a position in which it does project over the Winding element, means for guiding a strand in a plane chordal with respect-,to the path of the strand-snagging portion of the snagger, and means for holding the strand-snagging portion of the snagger in the position thereof in which it does not project over the Winding element as that portion is moved past one portion of the strand and for projecting the strand-snagging portion of the snagger over the winding element as the strand-snagging portion approaches a second portion of the strand.

13. A takeup apparatus, which comprises a reel, means engaging one end of the reel for rotating the reel, reel-mounting means for engaging the other end of the reel and rotatable thereby, a

. snagger extending radially beyond the reel and carried by the reel-mounting means and movable from a position in which the snagger does not 4project over the more adjacent head of the reel to a position in which the snagger does project over the head of the reel, means for seleca tively connecting the snagger to the reel-mounting means for rotation therewith, and means for moving the snagger to the position thereof in which it projects over said head of the reel for a predetermined portion of the revolution of the snagger.

14. A takeup apparatus, which comprises a reel, means engaging one end of the reel for rotating the reel, reel-mounting means for engaging the other end of the reel and rotated thereby when the reel is rotated, a snagger carried by the reel-mounting means and movable from a position in which the snagger does not project over the more adjacent head of the reel to a position in Which the snagger does project over that head of the reel, a clutch forconnecting the snagger to the reel-mounting means for rotation there.-`

With, means for actuating the clutch, and means for moving the snagger to the position thereof in which it projects over said head of the reel for a predetermined portion of the revolution of the snagger when the snagger is rotated with the reel-mounting means.

l5. A takeup apparatus, which comprises a rotatable reeling element, a second rotatable reeling element, means mounting the reeling elements in transversely aligned positions for rotating the reeling elements in inrunning directions', an arm carried With and mounted pivotally at the end of the rst-mentioned reeling elements, a snagger carried by the arm and extending substantially parallel to axis of rotation of the first-mentioned reeling element and radially outside that reeling element so that the snagger is projected' over that reeling element when the arm is pivoted toward that reelingelement, said snagger being revolved in a `predetermined circular path beyond the radial limits of the first-mentioned reeling element, a distributor adjustable transversely to the axis of rotation of the reeling element for distributing a strand upon the second-mentioned reeling element and for guiding the strand to the second-mentioned reeling element inV a vplane chordally intersecting the path,Y of the` snagger, means for holding the snagger in a position beyond the near end of the first-mentioned reeling element as'the snagger is moved past the portion of the strand enter-ing the portion of the plane chordally intersecting the path of the snagger so that the snagger clears that portion of the strand, means lfor moving the'snagger to al position extending over the near end of the firstmentioned reeling element after the snagger'has been moved past the portion of the strand entering said-portion of said plane and before the snagger has been moved to the portion ofthe strand leavingA said portion of said plane and for holding the 'snagger in the position extending over the near end of the first-mentioned reeling element as the snagger is moved to and past the point at which the strand leaves said portion of the plane so that the snagger catches'and grips Vthe strand as the strand is moved past the near end of the first-mentioned reeling element, and a cutter positioned outside the circular-path of the snagger and in the path in which the portion of the strand between the snagger and the second-mentioned reeling element is moved by the snagger for severing the strand. 16.7A-takeup apparatus, Which comprises a rotatable reeling element, a second rotatable reeling element, means mounting the reeling elements in transversely aligned positions for rotating the reeling elements in inrunning directions, a snagger carried with the iirst-mentioned reeling element at an end thereof and extending substantially parallel to axis of rotation of the first-mentioned reeling element and radially outside that reeling element, the snagger being projectable over the first-mentioned reeling element and being revolved in a predetermined circular path beyond the radial limitsy of the rst-mentioned reeling element, a distributor movable transversely to the axis of rotation of the reeling element for distributing a strand uponthe second-mentioned reeling element and for guiding the strand to the second-mentioned reeling element in a plane chordally cutting the path ofthe snagger, means for preventing snagging action of the snagger as the snagger is moved past the portion of the strand entering the portion of www? weiteres snag'gerrnapgroagiles` the poration` magg-er 'thfpath `in which. theipmoh of-if "12 v"snag'gen approacties;A ariel,epassesathe;l portionl of the strand about to be Azidvan'cetbetwen,the r'angesff-ithai'. eel and forepushingzthe-snager -overfthe portion ofthe strandbetween theflanges 'of the.rst-nientionedreel after, the Vsna'gger' has heenY advanced past the portion of theistrand about to 'be advanced between the ange's of that reel,A whereby the snagger catches the strandin the notch therei'nand moi/es the portion of the io strand between '1 thefsnagger land.t1'1e""se`con'd y to axes oirotation vof the for guidingA a "stran'fpst' the last-mentioned rel 'tothe other reel When 'on' a second 'pijtinff the 'g'iilevfa'y,v vmeans Vfor"rnovi'ig' theA guide from one 'of said portions of theV guideway, means V'forn'rnifing the guidefrom one` -f'said portions voi the 75 guideway to'.the"other"prtinithrof, ie'a fr iarteriosa' holding the guide at the rst-mentioned portion of the guidevvay, means for holding the guide at the second-mentioned portions of the guideway. means carried by each of the reels for snagging a strand guided therepast, individually operable means for actuating the strand-snagging means, and means for severing a strand snagged by one of the strand-snagging means.

23. A takeup apparatus, which comprises a rotatable reeling element, a second rotatable reeling element, means mounting the reeling elements in transversely aligned positions for rotating the reeling elements selectively and simultaneously in inrunning directions, a rotatable arm mounted pivotally at one end of the rstmentioned reeling element, a snagger carried by the arm and extending substantially parallel to axis of rotation of the rst-mentioned reeling element and radially outside that reeling element so that the snagger is projected over that reeling element when the arm is pivoted toward that reeling element, means operable selectively for connecting the snagger to the first-mentioned reeling element to revolve the snagger in a predetermined generally circular path beyond the radial limits of the first-mentioned reeling element, a distributor movable transversely to the axes of rotation of the reeling element for distributing a strand upon the second-mentioned reeling element and for guiding the strand to the second-mentioned reeling element in a plane chordally cutting said path of the snagger, cam means for holding the snagger in a position beyond the near end of the rst-mentioned reeling element as the snagger is moved past the portion of the strand entering the portion` of the plane chordally intersecting the path of the snagger so that the snagger clears that portion of the strand for moving the snagger to a position extending over the near end of the rst-mentioned reeling element after the snagger has been moved past the portion of the strand entering said portion of said plane and before the snagger has been moved to the portion of the strand leaving said portion of said piane and for holding the snagger in the position extending over the near end of the first-mentioned reeling element as the snagger is moved to and past the point at which the strand leaves said portion of the plane so that the snagger catches and grips the strand as the strand is moved past the near end of the firstmentioned reeling element, and a cutter positioned outside the circular path of the snagger in the path in which the portion of the strand between the snagger and the second-mentioned reeling element is moved by the snagger for severing the strand.

24. A takeup apparatus, which comprises a rotatable reeling element, a second rotatable reeln snagging portion is projected over that reeling element when the snagger is moved toward that reeling element, the snagging portion of the snagger being revolved in a predetermined substantially circular path beyond the radial limits of the rst-mentioned reeling element, a distributor for distributing a strand upon the secondmentioned reeling element and for guiding the strand to the second-mentioned reeling element in a plane chordally cutting the path of the snagger, means for holding the snagger in a position in which the snagging portion thereof is beyond the near end of the first-mentioned reeling element as the snagging portion is moved past the portion of the strand entering the portion of the plane chordally intersecting the path of the snagging portion so that the snagging portion clears that portion of the strand, means for moving the snagger to a position in which the snagging portion extends over the near end of the iirst-mentioned reeling element after the sinagging portion has been moved past the portion of the strand entering said portion of said plane and before the snagging portion has been moved to the portion of the strand leaving said portion of said plane and for holding the snagging portion in the position extending over the near end of the first-mentioned reeling element as the snagging portion is moved to and past the point at which the strand leaves said portion of the plane so that the snagging portion catches 'and grips the strand as the strand is moved past the near end of the first-mentioned reeling element, and a cutter positioned outside the circular path of the snagging portion and in the path in which the portion of the strand between the snagger and the second-mentioned reeling element is moved by the snagger for severing the strand.

DUER C. ROBSON.

f REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 164,391 Pratt June15, 1875 2,321,646 Blodgett June 15, 1943 2,357,389 Fern Sept. 5, 1944 2,440,799 Hercik May 4, 1948 

